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Colchicum luteum

Indian Colchicum

Family ColchicaceaeGenus Colchicum

A single yellow flower of six narrow pointed petals with a green and yellow center, among strap leaves
FlowerAveraterCC BY 4.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

Habit
tuberous geophytePlants of the World Online
Flower
YellowFlora of Pakistan
Native range
Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Pakistan, Tadzhikistan, Tibet and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Flora of Pakistan — S. I. Ali and M. Qaiser (eds.); GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • The yellow colchicum is the only yellow-flowered species in its genus. In Lahaul, in Himachal Pradesh, India, a place called Kukumseri is named after it, kukum being the local word for this plant. Wikipedia: Colchicum luteum

This source reports three treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around October 8, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on October 7, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 90 days.

83% germination in 30–90 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Colchicum p. 121Public domain
Show the original text
Colchicum (Llliaceae). Germination was hypogeal in the two species studied. Germination occurred at 40 and the seedlings must be kept at 40 for a month after radicle development is complete and until the true leaf begins to emerge before the shift to 70. C. luteum germ. 70-40(5/6 in 1-3 m) and 40-70-40(2/8). Seed placed outdoors in March germ. 5/7 the following October. Germination occurs only at low T.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Colchicum p. 121. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Sow around March 2027 — a date the source gives, not one counted back from a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Sown outdoors in March; up in October.

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 210 days to germinate.

71% germination in 210 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Colchicum p. 121Public domain
Show the original text
Colchicum (Llliaceae). Germination was hypogeal in the two species studied. Germination occurred at 40 and the seedlings must be kept at 40 for a month after radicle development is complete and until the true leaf begins to emerge before the shift to 70. C. luteum germ. 70-40(5/6 in 1-3 m) and 40-70-40(2/8). Seed placed outdoors in March germ. 5/7 the following October. Germination occurs only at low T.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Colchicum p. 121. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 16, 2026.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

25% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Colchicum p. 121Public domain
Show the original text
Colchicum (Llliaceae). Germination was hypogeal in the two species studied. Germination occurred at 40 and the seedlings must be kept at 40 for a month after radicle development is complete and until the true leaf begins to emerge before the shift to 70. C. luteum germ. 70-40(5/6 in 1-3 m) and 40-70-40(2/8). Seed placed outdoors in March germ. 5/7 the following October. Germination occurs only at low T.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Colchicum p. 121. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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